CN116209526A

CN116209526A - Device for dispensing sealant material and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: CN116209526A
Application number: CN202180065896.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: W·戴维斯二世
Original assignee: Vitro SAB de CV
Current assignee: Vitro SAB de CV
Priority date: 2020-09-28
Filing date: 2021-09-28
Publication date: 2023-06-02
Also published as: MX2023003370A; WO2022067264A1; US20220098923A1; CA3192199A1; EP4217119A1

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for delivering sealant material includes a first nozzle (12) having a first spray head (14) and a second nozzle (16) having a second spray head (18). The first and second spray heads each independently have an outlet, an inlet opposite the outlet, and an open channel extending from the inlet through the spray head body to the outlet. The first nozzle is spaced from the second nozzle to form a space between the spray heads to allow components to enter from a first side of the device and exit from a second side of the device while passing through the first and second nozzle heads. Recesses (60) are formed through the respective bodies of the first and second spray heads on the side of the component that exits the device to dispense sealant material onto the respective sides of the component.

Description

Device for dispensing sealant material and method of use thereof

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63/084122, filed on 9/28 of 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing sealant material, for example, for dispensing sealant material onto the sides of a spacer for insulating glazing units, and a method of using the device, a spacer formed therefrom, and an insulating glazing unit formed from the spacer.

Description of the background Art

An Insulating Glass Unit (IGU) is formed from two or more glass plies (ply) separated by one or more spacers to form an air gap between the glass plies. A sealant material is applied to the spacer to bond the glass plies to the spacer while providing a gas and liquid barrier to prevent gas (e.g., air) and liquid (e.g., water) from flowing into and out of the air gap. The amount, location, size, and shape of the sealant material applied to the spacers contributes to the effectiveness of the sealant material and the IGU produced thereby.

Considerable effort has been expended in developing methods and apparatus for forming IGUs, including apparatus and methods for preparing spacers. While current devices and methods may provide sealant material for spacers for use in IGUs, there remains a need for improved systems for applying sealants to provide better performance, faster overall application processes, improved weatherability, etc. in the final IGU.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved apparatus and method for applying sealant material that can be used to prepare spacers for IGUs.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention includes an apparatus for delivering sealant material. The apparatus includes a first nozzle including a first spray head and a second nozzle including a second spray head. The first and second spray heads each independently have an outlet, an inlet opposite the outlet, and an open channel extending through the spray head body from the inlet to the outlet. The first nozzle is spaced apart from the second nozzle such that the outlet of the first spray head faces the outlet of the second spray head, creating a space between the two spray heads to allow a component to enter the first side of the device and exit from the second side of the device while passing through the first spray head and the second spray head. On the side of the component that leaves the device, the first and second spray heads are formed with recesses through the respective bodies for dispensing sealant material onto the respective sides of the component.

The invention also relates to a method of applying a sealant material to a spacer of an insulating glass unit. The method includes passing an elongated spacer through a space formed between a first showerhead and a second showerhead of the apparatus; and applying sealant material to a first side of the spacer by the first nozzle and to a second, opposite side of the spacer by the second nozzle as the spacer passes through the device.

The invention also includes spacers comprising sealant material formed by the above method, and insulated glass units comprising such spacers formed between opposed glass plies.

The invention also relates to the following clauses:

a first aspect relates to an apparatus for delivering sealant material, the apparatus comprising: a first nozzle comprising a first spray head and a second nozzle comprising a second spray head, each independently comprising an outlet, an inlet opposite the outlet, and an open channel extending from the inlet through the body of the spray head to the outlet, wherein the first nozzle is spaced from the second nozzle such that the outlet of the first spray head faces the outlet of the second spray head, a space being formed between the two spray heads to allow a component to enter the first side of the device and exit the second side of the device while passing through the first spray head and the second spray head, and wherein on the side of the component exiting the device, the first spray head and the second spray head are formed with notches through the respective bodies for dispensing sealant material onto respective sides of the component.

A second aspect relates to the device of the first aspect, wherein the recess extends through a portion of the body of the respective spray head in a longitudinal direction from the outlet towards the inlet.

A third aspect relates to the apparatus of the first or second aspects, wherein the height of the recess at the outlet of the spray head is greater than the height of the recess where the recess terminates in the spray head body.

A fourth aspect relates to the device of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the thickness of the recess extends transversely through the spray head body in a direction from the second side of the spray head to the first side of the spray head, and wherein the thickness of the recess extends through the open channel to a position in front of the first side of the spray head.

A fifth aspect relates to the device of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the recess extends longitudinally a distance not exceeding half the length of the spray head body.

A sixth aspect relates to the device of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the first nozzle and the second nozzle each independently comprise a single nozzle.

A seventh aspect relates to the device of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the recess is triangular.

An eighth aspect relates to the device of the seventh aspect, wherein the triangular recess has three points, and wherein a first point of the triangular recess extends through the body of the respective spray head in a longitudinal direction, and a second point and a third point of the triangular recess extend through the respective spray head body in opposite perpendicular directions.

A ninth aspect relates to the device of any preceding aspect, further comprising at least one pump that dispenses the sealant material through the first and second spray heads.

A tenth aspect relates to the apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, further comprising a controller in operative communication with the at least one pump, and one or more computer readable storage media in operative communication with the controller and containing programming instructions such that upon execution of the programming instructions the controller causes the controller to dispense sealant material through the first and second spray heads.

An eleventh aspect relates to the apparatus of any of the preceding aspects, wherein the outlets of the spray heads are spaced apart a distance to apply sealant material to opposite sides of the elongated spacer for insulating the glass unit.

A twelfth aspect relates to a method of applying a sealant material to a spacer of an insulating glass unit, the method comprising: passing an elongated spacer through a space formed between a first showerhead and a second showerhead of the apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects; and applying sealant material to a first side of the spacer by the first nozzle and to a second, opposite side of the spacer by the second nozzle as the spacer passes through the device.

A thirteenth aspect relates to the method of the twelfth aspect, wherein the first and second jets are spaced apart a distance such that the outlets of the first and second jets are substantially flush with the first and second sides of the spacer.

A fourteenth aspect relates to the method of the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, wherein the recess extends through a portion of the body of the respective spray head in a longitudinal direction from the outlet towards the inlet.

A fifteenth aspect relates to the method of the fourteenth aspect, wherein the recess extends longitudinally a distance not exceeding half the length of the spray head body.

A sixteenth aspect relates to the method of any of the fourteenth or fifteenth aspects, the thickness of the recess extending transversely through the spray head body in a direction from the second side of the spray head to the first side of the spray head, and wherein the thickness of the recess extends through the open channel to a location before the first side of the spray head.

A seventeenth aspect relates to the method of any of the twelfth to sixteenth aspects, wherein the device comprises at least one pump that dispenses the sealant material through the first and second spray heads.

An eighteenth aspect relates to the method of the seventeenth aspect, wherein the pump moves the sealant material to generate an upstream line pressure in the range of 400ps i to 1200ps i.

A nineteenth aspect relates to the method of the seventeenth or eighteenth aspect, wherein the apparatus further comprises a controller in operable communication with the at least one pump, and one or more computer readable storage media in operable communication with the controller and containing programming instructions that, when executed, cause the controller to dispense sealant material through the first and second spray heads, and wherein the method comprises automatically applying sealant material to a first side of the spacer by the first nozzle and to a second side of the spacer by the second nozzle as the spacer passes through the apparatus.

A twentieth aspect relates to a spacer comprising a sealant material formed by the method of any one of the twelfth to nineteenth aspects.

A twenty-first aspect relates to an insulated glass unit comprising a spacer of the twentieth aspect formed between opposing glass plies.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a front view of a sealant dispensing device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sealant dispensing device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a nozzle of the sealant dispensing device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a sealant dispensing device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the sealant dispensing device of FIG. 1 showing the passage of a spacer between the spray heads;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sealant dispensing device of FIG. 2 showing the passage of a spacer between the spray heads;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a sealant dispensing device according to the present invention, the device including an additional nozzle;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the spacer of FIG. 1 positioned between glass plies;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the sealant dispensing device of FIG. 2 with a spacer passing between the spray heads of the device, wherein the spacer has a contoured bottom wall;

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the sealant dispensing device of FIG. 2 with the spacer passing between the sprayheads, wherein the spacer contains an encapsulated assembly for additional performance, the encapsulated assembly being shown by cutting away the front of the spacer;

FIG. 9C is a perspective view of the sealant dispensing device of FIG. 2 with spacers passing between the sprayheads, wherein the spacers are nonmetallic polymeric spacers; and

fig. 9D is a perspective view of the sealant dispensing device of fig. 2 with a spacer passing between the spray heads, wherein the spacer includes a channel-like portion forming a primary seal for the IGU and a desiccant filling area forming a secondary seal below the channel-like portion.

Disclosure of Invention

For purposes of the following description, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "transverse," "longitudinal," and derivatives thereof shall be oriented as shown in the drawings as related to the invention. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and described in the specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

Furthermore, it should be understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of "1 to 10" is intended to include all subranges between (including the ends of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10, i.e., having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than 10.

In the present application, the use of the singular includes the plural and plural encompasses singular, unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, in the present application, the use of "or" means "and/or" unless specifically stated otherwise, even though "and/or" may be explicitly used in certain instances.

As shown in fig. 1, the present invention relates to an apparatus 10 for dispensing sealant material. The sealant material dispensed by the device 10 is selected to provide the desired gas and liquid barrier properties. The sealant material may also be selected to provide good adhesion properties. Non-limiting examples of suitable sealant materials include hot melt butyl adhesive, reactive hot melt butyl adhesive, polyurethane, polyisobutylene, reactive polyisobutylene, silane terminated polymers, silicone modified polyurethane, and combinations thereof.

Referring again to fig. 1, the apparatus 10 includes a first nozzle 12 having a first spray head 14 and a second nozzle 16 having a second spray head 18. The first and second spray heads 14, 18 may extend from the body 20 of the

nozzles

12, 16 to deliver sealant material to the components. The

nozzles

12 and 16, and their respective spray heads 14 and 18, may each independently have various sizes and shapes for different systems and various applications. For example, spray heads 14 and 18 may have rectangular, square, or circular shapes to dispense a particular amount of sealant material. As further shown in FIG. 1,

nozzles

12 and 16 may each have a single spray head 14 and spray head 18. Alternatively,

nozzles

12 and 16 may each have two or more spray heads 14 and 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, spray heads 14 and 18 are in fluid communication with fluid passages 21 formed through body 20 of

nozzles

12 and 16, wherein sealant material is dispensed into

nozzles

12 and 16 and through

nozzles

12 and 16. Fluid passages 21 may be formed through any portion of body 20 of

nozzles

12 and 16 so long as sealant material can enter and pass through spray heads 14 and 18. For example, fluid passages 21 may be formed through the sides or top of body 20 of

nozzles

12 and 16 such that passages 21 extend to spray

heads

14 and 18. It should be appreciated that fluid passage 21 may extend through body 20 of

nozzles

12 and 16 in any direction so long as fluid passage 21 is in fluid communication with spray head 14 and spray head 18.

As further shown in fig. 2, the first nozzle 12 and the second nozzle 16 are in fluid communication with a conduit 22, such as by using an injector located in the fluid channel 21, which in turn is in fluid communication with a containment device 24 containing a sealant material. The conduit 22 may comprise a tube made of a material including, for example, plastic, rubber, metal, or a combination thereof. The containment device 24 containing the sealant material may include a canister, a bucket, and other types of containers sufficient to contain and store the sealant material.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, various features of the first nozzle 12 are shown. However, it should be understood that the features shown in fig. 3 and 4 represent features found in both the first nozzle 12 and the second nozzle 16 of the device 10. Thus, the features described herein with respect to fig. 3 and 4 will be referred to as features found in both the first nozzle 12 and the second nozzle 16.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, spray head 14 and spray head 18 each independently include an outlet 30 from which the sealant material exits spray nozzle 12 and spray nozzle 16, an inlet 32 opposite outlet 30, and an open channel 34 extending from inlet 32 through a body 36 of spray head 14 and spray head 18 to outlet 30, wherein the sealant material flows in through fluid channel 21. As further shown in fig. 3 and 4, the outlet 30 of each of the spray heads 14 and 18 has an outer surface 38, the outer surface 38 forming a perimeter around at least a portion of the open channel 34 where the sealant material exits the open channel 34.

The open channel 34 extending through the body 36 of the spray head 14 and spray head 18 may have a variety of shapes and sizes so long as the open channel 34 is capable of receiving and transporting sealant material away from the

nozzles

12 and 16 onto a component, such as a spacer for insulating a glass unit (IGU). It should be appreciated that the open channel 34 is sized to dispense a sufficient amount of sealant material to provide the desired sealant properties between the component and the surface or surfaces to which the component is attached.

Referring to fig. 1, the first nozzle 12 is spaced from the second nozzle 16 such that the outlet 30 of the first spray head 14 faces the outlet 30 of the second spray head 18, forming a space 40 between the spray heads 14 and 18. Referring to fig. 5 and 6, the distance between spray head 14 and spray head 18 is selected to form a space 40, which space 40 allows a component 42 having opposite sides 44 to pass between spray heads 14 and 18 while delivering sealant material 46 from spray heads 14 and 18 onto the surfaces of opposite sides 44 of component 42. For example, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, the component 42 may include channel-like elongated spacers with the sprayhead 14 and sprayhead 18 spaced apart a distance to dispense and apply the sealant material 46 onto the surfaces of opposite sides 44 of the channel-like elongated spacers of the component 42.

As shown in fig. 3 and 6, it should be appreciated that during application of sealant material 46, component 42 enters through space 40 between

nozzles

12 and 16 at a first side 50 of spray heads 14 and 18, which first side 50 also represents the entrance of component 42 into space 40 between spray heads 14 and 18. The member 42 is moved through the space 40 and the opposite side 44 of the member 42 passes through the outlet 30 of the spray head 14 and the spray head 18 while the sealant material is applied to the opposite side 44. Component 42 then exits device 10 at a second side 52 of spray heads 14 and 18, which second side 52 also represents the outlet of space 40 between spray heads 14 and 18, wherein component 42 exits the device with sealant material formed on opposite side 44.

Referring to fig. 4,

nozzles

12 and 16 each independently have a recess 60 formed through body 36 of spray head 14 and spray head 18. A recess 60 is formed through at least the spray head 14 and the second side 52 of the spray head 18. The recess 60 extends in a longitudinal direction (as indicated by reference numeral "a") from the nozzle outlet 30 toward the nozzle inlet 32 through a portion of the body 36 of each

spray head

14 and 18. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the recess 60 extends at least through the exterior surface 38 at the second side 52 of the spray head 14 and spray head 18 and into a portion of the body 36.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the thickness of the recess 60 may extend laterally (as indicated by reference numeral "C") through the body 36 of the

spray head

14 and 18 in a direction from the second side 52 toward the first side 50 of the

spray head

14 and 18. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the thickness of the recess 60 may extend laterally (as indicated by reference number "C") from the second side 52 through the open channel 34 toward the first side 50, through the body 36 of the spray head 14 and spray head 18. In such an example, the thickness of the recess 60 may extend laterally (as indicated by reference numeral "C") through the open channel 34 to a position forward of the first side 50. That is, the thickness of the recess 60 does not extend through the first side 50 of the body 36 of the spray head 14 and spray head 18.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the open channel 34 is retracted (set-back) rearward from the outer surface 38 of the spout 14 and outlet 30 of the spout 18. In this manner, the recess 60 forms a cavity within the body 36 of the spray head 14 and spray head 18, with the open channel 34 being located at the rear of the cavity such that the sealant material 46 exits the open channel 34 into the cavity formed by the recess 60. It should be appreciated that when forming the recess 60, the exterior surface 38 and a portion of the body 36 at the second side 52 of the spray head 14 and spray head 18 are removed, leaving an open area in a portion of the second side 52.

The recess 60 may have various shapes and sizes formed through the spray head 14 and the spray head 18 to provide a desired shape and amount of the sealant material 46 on the surface of the opposite side 44 of the component 42 (e.g., channel-like spacer), as shown in fig. 5 and 6. For example, the recess 60 may extend longitudinally from the outlet 30 toward the inlet 32 (as shown by reference letter "a") a distance that is no more than half (i.e., 50% or less) of the length of the bodies 36 of the spray heads 14 and 18, or no more than 1/4 (i.e., 25% or less) of the length of the bodies 36 of the spray heads 14 and 18, or no more than 1/10 (i.e., 10% or less) of the length of the bodies 36 of the spray heads 14 and 18.

The recess 60 may also be sized to provide a desired volume of sealant on selected areas of the component 42. For example, the recess 60 may be sized to provide a seal dose of 0.006 to 0.010 cubic inches per linear inch for each side 44 of the component 42, such as about 0.008 cubic inches per linear inch for each side 44 of the component 42.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the shape and size of the recess 60 may also be such that the height of the recess 60 measured in a vertical direction (vertical direction as indicated by reference character "B") at the outlet 30 of the spray head 14 and spray head 18 is wider than the height of the recess 60 where the recess 60 terminates within the body 36 of the spray head 14 and spray head 18. Thus, in these examples, the recess 60 tapers in a longitudinal direction (as indicated by reference numeral "a") from the spray head 14 and the outlet 30 of the spray head 18 toward the inlet 32.

The recess 60 may also be formed in a desired shape including, but not limited to, triangular, trapezoidal, etc. For example, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, the recess 60 is triangular in shape and has three

points

62, 64, and 66, with the first point 62 extending longitudinally through the body 36 of the spray head 14 and spray head 18 (as shown by reference numeral "a"). That is, the first point 62 of each triangular recess 60 extends through the body 36 of the spray head 14 and spray head 18 in a longitudinal direction (as indicated by reference numeral "A") toward the inlet 32 of the spray head 14 and spray head 18. The second and

third points

64, 66 of the triangular recess 60 extend through the body 36 in opposite vertical directions (as shown by reference letter "B"), such as along the outer face 38 of the second side 52 of each of the spray heads 14, 18.

As previously described, the opposite side 44 of the member 42 passes through the outlets 30 of the first and

second sprayers

14, 18 at a selected distance to receive the sealant material 46 exiting the open channel 34. For example, the opposite side 44 of the member 42 may be spaced a distance from the outer surface 38 of the outlet 30 such that the opposite side 44 is flush or substantially flush with the outer surface 38 of the outlet 30 to form a closed cavity. When the sealant material 46 is dispensed through the open channel 34, the sealant material 46 fills the cavity of the recess 60. Because outer surface 38 and a portion of body 36 at second side 52 of sprayhead 14 and sprayhead 18 are removed by notch 60, sealant material 46 forms on side 44 of component 42 as component 42 exits space 40 formed between

sprayheads

14 and 18. It should be appreciated that the sealant material 46 formed on the side 44 of the component 42 will take the shape of the recess 60.

The device 10 may also have additional components. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus 10 may include an additional nozzle 80 positioned below the space 40 to apply the sealant material 46 to the bottom of the component 42. The additional nozzles 80 may include all or only a portion of the features that form the

nozzles

12 and 16 described above. Alternatively, the additional nozzles 80 may be different from the

nozzles

12 and 16 described above.

Referring to fig. 2, the apparatus 10 may also include at least one pump 90 for controlling the dispensing of the sealant material 46 into the

nozzles

12 and 16. The apparatus 10 may include a pump 90 that controls the dispensing of the sealant material 46 into the first nozzle 12 and the second nozzle 16. Alternatively, the device 10 may include two or more pumps 90 that control the dispensing of the sealant material 46 into the first nozzle 12 and the second nozzle 16, respectively. The one or more pumps 90 may be used to control the amount and rate at which the sealant material 46 is dispensed into the first nozzle 12 and the second nozzle 16.

Non-limiting examples of other components that may be used with apparatus 10 include sensors (not shown) that detect various parameters and conditions within

nozzles

12 and 16, spray heads 14 and 18, and/or space 40 formed between spray heads 14 and 18. For example, sensors may be used to detect parameters and conditions including temperature, pressure, sealant flow rate, and/or the presence of sealant material 46 within spray head body 36, open channel 34, and/or space 40 formed between spray head 14 and spray head 18. For example, the spray heads 14 and 18 may have thermocouples for measuring the temperature of the sealant and pressure sensors for maintaining consistent dispensing pressures.

In addition, the device 10 may also include a temperature control assembly to heat or cool the temperature within the open channel 34, the fluid channel 21, and/or the conduit 22 in fluid communication with the containment device 24. For example,

nozzles

12 and 16 may be heated by conduction, such as by using a manifold with heating elements (e.g., heating rods) and thermocouples.

Additionally, referring to fig. 2, the apparatus 10 may include a controller 110, the controller 110 being in operable communication with one or more computer readable storage media that cause the controller to dispense the sealant material 46 into the

nozzles

12 and 16 and through the

nozzles

12 and 16 using the one or more pumps 90. The controller 110 also has the ability to obtain information or access from other components such as sensors. It should be appreciated that the controller 110 may include one or more microprocessors, CPUs, and/or other computing devices.

The controller 110 and one or more computer readable storage media may be used to automatically control the apparatus 10. As used herein, the term "automatically controlled" refers to the absence of substantial involvement of a human operator during normal operation of the device 10 without the need for manual control of the controllable components. In this way, during normal operation, the device 10 may be controlled without an operator monitoring or adjusting various parameters of the device 10.

As shown, the component 42 that receives the sealant material 46 may include a spacer for insulating a glass unit (IGU). Accordingly, the present invention includes a method of applying a sealant material to a spacer (e.g., a channel-like elongated spacer) for an IGU. The method includes passing a member 42 including a spacer through a space 40 formed between the first and second spray heads 14, 18 of the apparatus 10. The spacer enters the space 40 at the first side 50 of the spray heads 14 and 18. The spacer of the member 42 moves through the space 40 and the opposite side 44 of the spacer of the member 42 passes through the outlets 30 of the spray heads 14 and 18 while the sealant material 46 is dispensed through the spray heads 14 and 18.

Each side 44 of the spacer of the component 42 is spaced a distance from the respective first and

second sprayers

14, 18 to receive the sealant material 46. For example, the distance between spray head 14 and spray head 16 may be selected to form a space 40 in which opposing sides 44 of the spacer of component 42 are flush or substantially flush with outer surface 38 of outlet 30 (e.g., providing a gap distance of 0.005 to 0.010 inches between sides 44 of the spacer of component 42 and inner surface 38 of outlet 30). As the spacer of the component 42 moves past the second side 52 of the spray head 14 and the spray head 18 and out of the space 40, a sealant material 46 (e.g., a triangular sealant material 46) is formed on the side 44 of the spacer of the component 42.

The method may be automatically controlled using a controller 110 in operable communication with one or more computer readable storage media containing programming instructions that, when executed, cause the controller 110 to dispense the sealant material 46 through the first and

second sprayers

14, 18. The controller 110 may automatically operate the pump 90 to control the flow rate and pressure of the delivered sealant material 46. For example, the controller 110 may automatically operate the pump 90 to move the sealant material at an upstream line pressure in the range of 400ps i to 1200ps i. The controller 110 may also operate on temperatures within the

nozzles

12 and 16, for example, in the range of 140°f to 360°f.

As previously described, the method may be used to form a spacer of the component 42 having a sealant material 46 (e.g., triangular sealant material 46) on opposite sides 44 of the spacer of the component 42. Referring to fig. 8, the resulting spacer of component 42 may be used to form an IGU by being placed between two or more glass plies 200 and 202.

It should be appreciated that the spacers of the component 42 may have a variety of shapes, designs, and configurations that may be used to apply the sealant material 46 (e.g., triangular sealant material 46) using the device 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the spacer of the member 42 may be a channel-like elongated spacer, such as that sold under the trade name

Spacers commercially available from GED. Alternatively, the spacer of the component 42 may have other shape designs and configurations, including the following shapes: the shape shown in fig. 9A, wherein the spacer 200 has a wave-like wall 202 extending between two sides 204, under the trade name +.>

Quantum is purchased from GED; the shape shown in fig. 9B, wherein the spacer 210 comprises an encapsulated component 212 (e.g. at least one polycarbonate or aluminium gasket for additional properties) and has two sides 214, which may be under the trade name +.>

And->

Purchased from Quanex; the shape shown in fig. 9C, wherein spacer 230 is a nonmetallic polymeric spacer with two sides 234, under the trade name Super +.>

Commercially available from Quantex; and the shape shown in fig. 9D, wherein the spacer 240 comprises a channel-like portion 242 with two sides 244 forming a primary seal for the IGU and a desiccant filled region 244 forming a secondary seal under the channel-like portion 242, under the trade name encor ^TM And XL->

Purchased from carondial.

The previously described apparatus 10 was found to provide additional benefits downstream of the manufacturing process. Specifically, the apparatus 10 enables better accelerated weathering test results compared to currently known apparatus and methods of applying sealant material, and enables operation of the post-heat furnace/roller press apparatus at lower temperatures and higher speeds, e.g., at 14% lower sealant temperature and 30% to 50% faster line speeds for triple IGUs compared to currently known apparatus and methods of applying sealant material. The resulting sealant material 46 also provides improved bonding, particularly when applied to the sides of the spacers of the components 42 used to form the IGU. The spacer of the aforementioned component 42 has also been found to provide a good liquid and gas barrier to prevent liquid and gas (e.g., air) from flowing into and out of the air gap formed in the IGU.

It should be appreciated that the foregoing apparatus 10 and methods may be used in a variety of systems for forming spacers and/or forming IGUs. Non-limiting examples of such systems are described in the following U.S. patents (the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference): 7,275,570;7,445,682;7,448,246;7,610,681;7,802,365;7,866,033;7,901,526;8,056,234;8,474,400;8,720,026;8,904,611;9,212,515;9,279,283;9,428,953;9,765,564;10,156,515;10,184,290;10,267,083;10,316,578;10,352,090;10,352,091;10,369,617;10,533,367; and 10577856. The apparatus 10 may be incorporated into various parts of such a system.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described above for illustrative purposes, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for delivering sealant material, comprising:

a first nozzle including a first spray head, and

a second nozzle including a second spray head,

the first and second sprayers each independently include an outlet, an inlet opposite the outlet, and an open channel extending from the inlet through the sprayer body to the outlet,

wherein the first nozzle is spaced apart from the second nozzle such that the outlet of the first spray head faces the outlet of the second spray head, a space being formed between the spray heads to allow components to enter from a first side of the device and exit from a second side of the device while passing through the first and second spray heads, an

Wherein a recess is formed through the respective bodies in the first and second spray heads at a side of the component that is remote from the device to dispense sealant material onto each side of the component.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the recess extends through a portion of a body of a respective spray head in a longitudinal direction from the outlet toward the inlet.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the height of the recess at the outlet of the spray head is greater than the height of the recess where the recess ends within the body of the spray head.

4. A device according to any one of claims 2-3, wherein the thickness of the recess extends transversely through the body of the spray head in a direction from the second side of the spray head towards the first side of the spray head, and wherein the thickness of the recess extends through the open channel to a position in front of the first side of the spray head.

5. The device of any of claims 2-4, wherein the recess extends longitudinally a distance no more than half of a length of the body of the spray head.

6. The device of any one of claims 2-5, wherein the recess is triangular.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1-6, further comprising at least one pump that dispenses sealant material through the first and second spray heads.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a controller in operable communication with the at least one pump, and one or more computer readable storage media in operable communication with the controller and containing programming instructions that, when executed, cause the controller to dispense the sealant material through the first and second spray heads.

9. The apparatus of any of claims 1-8, wherein outlets of the spray heads are spaced apart a distance to apply the sealant material to opposite sides of an elongated spacer for insulating a glass unit.

10. A method of applying a sealant material to a spacer of an insulating glass unit, the method comprising:

passing a spacer through a space formed between a first nozzle and a second nozzle of the device according to any one of claims 1-9; and

as the spacer passes through the device, sealant material is applied to a first side of the spacer by the first nozzle and sealant material is applied to a second, opposite side of the spacer by the second nozzle.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first and second spray heads are spaced apart a distance such that the outlets of the first and second spray heads are substantially flush with the first and second sides of the spacer.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one pump that dispenses sealant material through the first and second spray heads, and wherein the pump moves the sealant material to generate an upstream line pressure in the range of 400psi to 1200 psi.

13. The method of any of claims 10-12, wherein the apparatus comprises the controller in operable communication with the at least one pump, and one or more computer readable storage media in operable communication with the controller and containing programming instructions that, when executed, cause the controller to dispense the sealant material through the first and second spray heads, and

wherein the method comprises: as the spacer passes through the device, sealant material is automatically applied to a first side of the spacer by the first nozzle and sealant material is applied to a second side of the spacer by the second nozzle.

14. A spacer comprising the sealant material formed by the method of any one of claims 10-14.

15. An insulated glass unit comprising the spacer of claim 14 formed between opposed glass plies.